X-bit labs

Dual-Core Budget Platform: Asus A6Rp Notebook Review (page 4)

Category: Mobile

by Alexander Britvin

[ 06/07/2007 | 09:44 AM ]

We measured the brightness and contrast of the notebook’s display using a Pantone ColorVision Spyder with OptiCAL version 3.7.8 software. We selected the highest brightness setting before this test, but it was considerably lowered when the notebook switched to its battery, automatically enabling power-saving technologies. The contrast ratio is rather low because the level of black is too high on “glassy” matrixes, reducing the resulting ratio of white to black. We selected the lowest level of black of all our measurements.

AC power source:

• 102.7cd/sq.m brightness, 46:1 contrast ratio

DC power source:

• 87.7cd/sq.m brightness, 46:1 contrast ratio

A notable difference from traditional A6 series models, the ASUS A6Rp lacks the Audio DJ feature. There are only system indicators left on the slanted front edge of the notebook’s body. These are visible irrespective of the position of the lid and include (from left to right):

• Power indicator (alight when the notebook is on; blinking when in power-saving mode; not shining when the notebook is off or in sleep mode)
• Battery charge indicator (alight when the battery is being recharged; off when the battery is charged or fully discharged; blinking when the battery charge is below 10% and the notebook is not connected to the mains)
• Email indicator (blinking when you’ve got new letters in your inbox; this feature requires software setup and is only compatible with Microsoft’s email clients)
• Wireless (blinking when the integrated WLAN adapter is sending out or receiving data packets)

The second group of status indicators is located on the right above the keyboard together with instant-launch buttons and a Power button:

• Storage indicator (it shows that a storage device, i.e. the hard or optical drive, is being accessed)
• Num Lock
• Caps Lock
• Scroll Lock

The notebook offers the following instant-launch buttons:

• Button to launch ASUS’ exclusive Power4 Gear+ utility which offers several power modes that vary in such parameters as CPU frequency, screen brightness, Windows’ power management scheme, etc.

Three Power4 Gear+ modes are available when the notebook is connected to the wall socket and seven when it works on its battery.

• Button to launch your email client
• Button to launch your Web-browser
• Button to block the touchpad (you may want to do this to avoid touching it accidentally if you’re using an external mouse instead)

The A6Rp is equipped with an 89-key black keyboard. The Enter button is shaped classically like the letter L. The movement keys are shifted below the keyboard’s baseline, so there’s a smaller risk of your pressing them accidentally. The left Fn button is located in the bottom left corner, which is not convenient for people who are used to shortcuts like Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V. The other Fn is placed above the Arrow Right key. Numeric buttons and three Windows keys are available: the Context Menu key is placed above the Arrow Left key; the Windows Logo keys are placed over one key on both sides of the spacebar. The functional keys are smaller than others. Home, PgUp, PgDn and End make up a column on the right. Pause, Print Screen, Insert and Delete are placed in the same row with the functional keys (you should press them in combination with Fn to access their additional functions). The letters are painted white and the functional keys are painted blue.

The touchpad has not changed since earlier A6 series models. It has a large black sensitive panel and a dedicated scrolling zone on the right. It is surrounded by a silvery frame that transitions into two buttons serving instead of the mouse’s buttons. There is no additional joystick for scrolling text.